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F1 Team Boss Takes Bold Step with McLaren Test Inspired by Verstappen
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Highlights
- Max Verstappen tested Porsche Cayman GT4 at Nürburgring Nordschleife
- Verstappen earned a category A license for the Nordschleife circuit
- Williams’ James Vowles tested McLaren 720S GT3 EVO in Spain
- Vowles shifted focus from engineering to driving during tests
- F1 personnel show growing interest in GT3 racing outside F1
- Trend may inspire more F1 drivers to try GT racing soon
Max Verstappen’s Nürburgring outing sets a fresh tone in the F1 paddock, and James Vowles is the latest to follow. The Williams boss tested a McLaren GT3 in Spain.
Verstappen drove a Porsche Cayman GT4 on the Nordschleife, securing the circuit’s category A license. That credential is essential for higher-performance competition on the demanding track.
His run fell between the Italian and Azerbaijan Grands Prix, underscoring a growing appetite for structured GT mileage alongside F1 commitments.
Vowles then sampled a McLaren 720S GT3 EVO at Circuito de Navarra. He posted images in race gear, describing two productive days at the technical Spanish venue.
Verstappen earned Nordschleife category A status after his GT4 run, a key step for competitive appearances on the long layout.
The McLaren’s road-derived twin-turbo V8 is quoted at around 740 horsepower and 340 km/h. In GT3 trim, Balance of Performance curbs output and aero sets realistic speed ceilings.
Vowles admitted initial rust after years away from GT3 machinery. He enjoyed switching from engineering oversight to pure driving focus, emphasizing fundamentals and consistency.
The crossover trend is gathering momentum. F1 personnel increasingly explore the GT3 racing category for seat time, racecraft variety, and technical understanding under BoP constraints.
Vowles completed two days at Navarra, prioritizing rhythm and braking references over setup complexity.
This expanding interest also reflects the sport’s broader evolution. It will thread into storylines across the 2025 F1 season, especially as teams assess driver development avenues.
For fans, it offers fresh contexts and comparative benchmarks. It also aligns with wider auto racing industry trends that value crossover skills and diversified competition.
F1 figures tapping GT3 underline how BoP-era GT racing sharpens traffic management and tyre discipline—skills transferable to Grand Prix Sundays.
The field of likely candidates will grow if schedules permit. The appeal is clear: relevant race mileage, controlled risk, and meaningful feedback loops back into F1 programs.
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Visual Summary
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F1
GT3
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F1 Stars Discover New Speed
Verstappen & Vowles lead a growing GT3 trend
Testing their limits beyond Formula 1
Verstappen @ Nürburgring GT4
Vowles @ Navarra GT3
Vowles @ Navarra GT3
740
hp
hp
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340
km/h
km/h
TREND
F1 → GT3: Who’s next?
Interest among F1 drivers & staff is accelerating
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Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.
